Grace Kim’s Legendary Hole‑Out at Evian Championship

The Epic Playoff Drama

Grace Kim, a 25‑year‑old Australian currently ranked No. 31, forced a playoff by eagling the 72nd hole in last year’s final round at the Amundi Evian Championship. After her approach shot ended in water, she chipped in for birdie from the grass over rocks to tie Jeeno Thitikul, then secured an eagle on the second extra hole to capture the title. The moment has become a talking point on the LPGA Tour, with the remarkable hole‑out replayed repeatedly.

A Plaque Commemorates History

The landmark hole‑out is memorialized with a brown plaque on a tree at the 18th, inscribed in English and French: “From here, Grace Kim chipped in for birdie on her way to an incredible victory on the second playoff hole in 2025.” Kim discovered the marker earlier this week, saying, “I saw it for the first time yesterday and it was really cool.” She continued, “And hearing those people that come to play Evian and trying it out themselves, kind of makes me feel nice about it.” Later she praised the resort, “It is a very cool thing for Evian Resort to put up for it, so I’m really grateful for it. It makes me feel like it’s a legendary moment, so I’m really, really grateful for that.”

Course Changes Add New Challenges

The 18th has been refreshed with two new bunkers that tighten the fairway. One bunker sits on the right side of the landing zone, while another flanks the left. Kim described the impact: “It makes the fairway a lot tighter than it was last year on 18, but obviously you try to aim for the left for the ball to come back to the middle as the fairway slopes that way.” She also warned, “Off the tee, I don’t think it changes too much, but if you end in in the fairway bunker it just forces you to lay up. You can’t slack the layup either because of the additional bunker on the left, so just making sure you’re switched on throughout the whole hole.”

Kim Returns with Nostalgia

Driving into the resort evoked memories of last year’s drama for Kim, who remarked, “Driving in kind of made me think of all the memories that were created last year and obviously all great memories, so it is really nice to be back here in Evian.” She enjoyed the warm conditions and noted the course’s subtle shifts, especially on the 18th. “It’s quite warm this week, which is nice as well. Driving in kind of felt weird in a way but in a good way. Playing the golf course, I have seen the whole course now. There are some differences on the golf course, especially 18. We’ll see how this works but definitely makes the hole trickier than it already was.”

Celebration, Bunkers, and a Declined Replay

After the victory, Kim gathered with Australian friends at a local pub that has since burned down, a loss she expressed sadness over. She recalled, “We went down to the local public [pub], which is apparently burnt down, which I’m really sad about.” The group celebrated with a trophy replica filled with champagne, though Kim left the large bottle for teammates because “I don’t do well with alcohol, so I let the others deal with that.” She later declined a request to recreate the shot this week: “I ended up not doing it, which I think saved a lot of time and mine as well.” “We’ll just leave it at that.” The Ladies European Tour even posted a clip of pros trying to pull off the same feat.

Lasting Impact and Replicas

Kim’s shot continues to inspire golfers attempting to replicate it on the 18th. The plaque ensures future players will see the exact spot where the birdie was holed, preserving a piece of tournament lore. Her win not only marked a first‑major victory but also cemented a moment that will be remembered for years to come.